US petrochemicals welcomed a federal decision to postpone deadline for reporting of GHG emissions

March 02/2011

(ICIS) -- US petrochemical, chemical and
refining interests on Tuesday welcomed a federal government decision to postpone
the 31 March deadline for industrial reporting of greenhouse gas (GHG)
emissions. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) said earlier on Tuesday
that it would put back the original 31 March reporting deadline to an
unspecified date in mid-2011.

Under the agency’s May 2010 reporting mandate, large emitters of
greenhouse gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2) - basically industrial sites,
manufacturers such as chemical plants and refiners - were to begin reporting the
volume of their GHG emissions beginning the end of this month.

EPA said it was putting the deadline back so that it could further test
the online reporting system that would be used by industry. The agency
said that it would announce a new deadline later this year.

American Chemistry Council (ACC) President Cal Dooley welcomed the delay.
“Reporting done right requires a thorough understanding of the new rules, ample
time for feedback and sufficient testing to ensure a high-quality database,” he
said.

The National Petrochemical & Refiners Association (NPRA) also hailed
the delay, saying it was “a sensible step”.